Contamination of Ghana UK Trade Zomi pure palm oil with Sudan IV dye

Wednesday 10 November 2004

Food Alert: for Action

Ref: 56/2004 (England): 58/2004 (Scotland) Update 1

Food Alert: For Action 56/2004 advised of the contamination of Royal brand palm oil with the illegal dye Sudan IV. Further investigations have revealed that another palm oil manufactured by Ghana UK Trade is also contaminated with Sudan IV.

Product affected
GHANA UK TRADE Zomi Pure Palm Oil � 1 Litre
Best before Sept 2007
Batch number: 004

Sudan IV is not a permitted colour under the Colours in Food Regulations 1995. It is considered to be a genotoxic carcinogen and its presence, at any level, is not permitted in foodstuffs for any purpose.

The affected product was manufactured in Ghana by:
Ghana / UK Trade Ventures Ltd
PO Box CT 4763
Accra
Ghana

The Agency has no details of the UK importer, or distribution outlets. This product appears to be distributed through direct van sales, and retailers who sell African or African-Caribbean food products, are the main clients.

Identification of the product
The label is predominantly yellow. �GHANAUKTRADE' is written in yellow on a red rectangle. An image of palm fruits is shown in the middle of the label. Zomi is written in black text and outlined in bright yellow. Underneath this, Pure Palm Oil is in red text and outlined in bright yellow. The words Made from the finest palm fruit are in black text.

The left-hand side of the label lists the ingredients in black text. Towards the bottom of the label, the batch number and 'best before' date are printed in black text on a white background.

The right-hand side of the label has the word Zomi printed in black text, with Pure Palm Oil in red text underneath. The Royal Brand is printed in black text, with a picture of a golden crown directly below. The product size is shown in black text, and the manufacturer's name and address is printed in yellow text.

To assist local authorities in correct identification of this product, a picture of the label can be viewed from the link at the foot of this page.

Action to be taken by local authorities
The product presents a health risk if consumed in sufficient quantity, and does not comply with the food safety requirements specified in the Food Safety Act 1990 due to contamination with Sudan IV. In addition, Sudan IV is not a permitted colour.

If any of this product is found within their area, enforcement officers should ensure that it is withdrawn and destroyed, if necessary using powers under the Food Safety Act 1990.

It is essential that all non-unitary authorities liaise at county level to ensure that they co-ordinate their actions.